Ronald Aylmer Fisher English statistician, mathematician, evolutionary biologist, eugenicist and geneticist Date of Birth: 17.02.1890 Country: Australia

Biography of Ronald Aylmer Fisher

Ronald Aylmer Fisher was an English statistician, mathematician, evolutionary biologist, eugenicist, and geneticist. He was born on February 17, 1890, in East Finchley, London, England, to George and Katie Fisher. Fisher showed an incredible talent for mathematics from a young age, despite having poor eyesight. He developed the ability to solve problems in his head without the need for paper and pen, using geometric visualization instead of algebraic transformations.

Fisher had a keen interest in biology, particularly in the theory of evolution. In 1909, he received a scholarship to study at Cambridge University, where he immersed himself in the intellectually stimulating atmosphere. It was at Cambridge that Fisher learned about Gregor Mendel's genetic theory and became fascinated with eugenics, a field he saw as crucial for society.

In 1911, Fisher helped establish the Cambridge University Eugenics Society and continued to write articles on the subject for the Eugenic Review journal. His groundbreaking work on the correlation between relatives based on Mendelian inheritance laid the foundation for the field of biometric genetics and introduced the method of analysis of variance.

During World War I, Fisher attempted to join the army but was repeatedly rejected due to his weak eyesight. Instead, he worked as a statistician in the City of London and taught physics and mathematics in several state schools. In April 1917, Fisher married Eileen Guinness, and they had two sons and seven daughters.

After the war, Fisher sought a new job and accepted a temporary position at the Rothamsted Experimental Station, a small agricultural research facility. This allowed him access to extensive data collections and served as the basis for his major research. Fisher's systematic approach to data analysis revolutionized the field of genetics and propelled statistics into a recognized scientific discipline.

In 1925, Fisher published his first book on statistical methods for scientific researchers, which became a standard reference for scientists across disciplines. His work on population genetics established him as one of the three great scientists in the field.

Despite being a man of science, Fisher remained deeply religious, loyal to his friends, and a conservative in his political beliefs. In his later years, he embodied the archetype of a absent-minded professor, known for his casual mannerisms and appearance.

During World War II, Fisher's eldest son, a military pilot, was killed, and his marriage ended in divorce. He faced difficulties in his career for about five years as eugenics became discredited after the Nazi experiments. However, Fisher eventually received numerous awards for his work and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.

In the last five years of his life, Fisher worked in Adelaide, Australia, and passed away from colon cancer on July 29, 1962, at the age of 72. His contributions to the field of statistics, genetics, and evolution continue to be celebrated and recognized today.